A/N: Yeah, I know that Ella doesn't exist in real Potterland (total oxymoron, I know). This is AU now, as I'm not willing to re-edit so Ron and Hermione have two kids, neither of them named Ella, which is a name I love. So if you must, pretend that Hugo is in hiding, Ella is actually named Rose, and that Harry and Ginny have three kids. Thanks.

"Are you ready yet?"

"Just a minute," Hermione called from their bedroom.

Ron closed his mouth and sank deeper into his armchair. Ella had already been sent off to Grandmum Granger's, as Grandma Weasley would be attending Harry's surprise party as well.

Ron waited for Hermione for all of ten seconds before pulling himself up and striding to their room. He promptly barged in, because, being a male Weasley, and Ron at that, meant he had absolutely no social skills.

"Hey! Get out, I'll come out when I'm ready!"

"But I'm bored!"

"Your problem. Now go away."

Ron reluctantly went to the kitchen. If I can't watch, then I do what I do best- eat.

"And don't eat! You'll get food all over your tuxedo and dress robes!"

Or not.

He sighed. Women. It took him all of five minutes to put on his clothes and brush his hair, all of which he had done half an hour ago. But no, Hermione needed a long bath, complete with bubbles, bath salts, and book. And then, she had set up some sort of home spa thingy and invited Ginny and Luna over for an hour. Ron had been banished to the Leaky Cauldron for the time. When he came home, pleasantly drunk, he had found the three women lounging on the sofa with nasty green goop smeared all over their faces, undoubtedly gossiping about him, Harry, and Neville.

Blokes definitely got the short end of the stick.

But Ron got Hermione. Fair trade off, in Ron's mind.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Hermione finally emerged at fifteen to six. Ron had no doubt that she would have stayed holed up in the bathroom primping, but they had promised Ginny they would get there early and help the event planner set up, as Ginny had to stay home with Ginny. Hermione never broke an obligation, even for the sake of beauty.

She was wearing the gorgeous dress, and over that, a sheer lace robe that was the same color as the white pear-shaped pearl she wore on the gold chain he had given her for their anniversary. The robe covered the small train perfectly, and long sleeves covered her otherwise bare arms. The robe clasped at the navel, following the deep v-neck of the dress, and then the robe swept off the skirt and flowed over the train. The clasp matched the necklace; it was made of four white pearls set into a diamond shape in yellow gold.

"You look beautiful. As always." Ron added the last two words impulsively, knowing she would like it.

"Thanks. You look good as well."

Ron was wearing an iron-grey Muggle tuxedo, and over that heavy robes of the same color. However, the robes shimmered ever so slightly in the light. Hermione had picked them out, and he had worn the outfit to please her, though it made him feel like Barty Crouch Sr. in his stiff, crisp clothes.

Ron's hair, however, was couldn't be more unlike Crouch's. His red hair was tousled, and slightly overlong, as he hadn't had a haircut in seven months. Hermione's, though, was perfect. She had used a spell to turn her semi-frizzy curls into smooth waves. When Hermione turned around, Ron saw yet more pearls; a hair clasp like the one on her robes pulled her hair back partially. Now that he thought about it, Ron's mum had probably given the set to her. They looked vaguely like something he had seen Great Aunt Stacy wear before her death.

"All right, let's go. We can't be late." Hermione steered Ron away from the fireplace, where he had drifted vaguely. He had already taken a pinch of floo powder, which, funnily, matched the hue of Hermione's dress exactly.

"Of course we can't take the Floo, Ronald. It would absolutely ruin our clothes."

"Right…come on then." Ron grabbed Hermione's hand and they spun and disappeared together…

And reappeared in front of a very grumpy young woman.

"And WHO exactly do you think YOU are!? This ballroom had been booked by a MISS GINEVRA WEASLEY. And you don't look like a Weasley, so get out."

"Actually, it's Mrs. Ginevra Weasley Potter now. Have you been living under a rock?"

The woman didn't seem to take too kindly to that. She readjusted her rectangular glasses and glared at Hermione with dark grey eyes.

"Either way, you're still not Mrs. Potter, so get out of my way."

"No, looks like you need our help. I'm Hermione Weasley. Ginny sent my husband and I to help with the preparations. Clearly," Hermione glanced around at the disheveled ballroom, "we were needed."

"All right, whatever." The lady flicked a strand of platinum blond hair off her cheek "Do whatever you want."

Hermione pulled her wand out of her clutch. Ron moved off to the side. He didn't think he would be terribly needed, and Hermione was doing it all anyway.

Ron was thoroughly impressed. The cavernous ballroom was draped in regal purple and gold streamers. An enormous banner that read, 'Happy Birthday, Harry' was hung on the wall opposite the large French doors. The caterers Ginny had hired were busily setting up the meal and drinks on a long mahogany buffet table. Another table was cleared for presents. The gold dance floor was gleaming, having been hit with numerous polishing spells from Hermione. Tables and chairs were set up in the quarter of the room not taken up by the dance floor.

Just in time, and the room looks perfect. Harry will love it.

Another A/N: The second part to The Midget's Birthday will come later today or over the weekend. At the latest, it will be uploaded Monday. I promise the fun starts then…